Method and apparatus for countering flooding in coastal areas

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for protecting a coastline from a predicted storm surge. The method includes the steps of: providing at least one inflatable barrier segment for protection against flooding during a hurricane surge; storing the at least one inflatable barrier segment at a first location; transporting the at least one inflatable barrier segment from the first location to a second location corresponding to a coastal location under threat of a future hurricane surge; deploying the at least one inflatable barrier segment at the second location to provide a barrier; removing each at least one inflatable barrier segment from the second location once the threat of the hurricane surge has receded; and depositing the at least one inflatable barrier segment at a third location, wherein the first location is selected from the group consisting of: an ocean floor, an offshore storage platform, and a buoy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/767,319, filed Mar. 17, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus, in the form of at least one inflatable barrier segment, for countering flooding in coastal areas that are otherwise at risk of flooding from natural weather phenomenon such as, but not limited to, hurricane surges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hurricanes produce high winds, tornadoes, and often the most deadly of all—flooding. Devastating flooding can occur as a result of hurricane storm surges. For example, hurricane Katrina produced a storm surge that caused severe and catastrophic flood damage along the Gulf coast.

As a general matter flood barrier systems are often not popular in areas of coastline that depend on the tourist dollar to drive the local economy. An unsightly flood protection system could, for example, discourage surfers enjoying such pastimes as regular stand-up surfing, kneeboarding, bodyboarding, surf-skiing and bodysurfing. Thus, there is a need for flood protection system that offers protection against hurricane storm surges and yet does not interfere with the aesthetics or intended use of coastal areas desiring such flood protection.

Land based protection such as levees and seawalls provide some protection against storm surge flooding. While useful, such structures take a considerable amount of time and money to construct. In addition, there are hundreds of miles of existing levees and seawalls that would have to be raised substantially in order to prevent flooding during a Category 4 or 5 storm. Many such levees and seawalls have been built along the edges of coastal bodies of water such as bays and estuaries.

Levees and seawalls are uncommon along beachfront land due to poor aesthetics, environmental issues, and high financial cost. The only protection from flooding in most of these areas is typically provided by natural formations such as barrier islands. Barrier islands have decreased in size and number in recent years due to rising ocean levels as well as erosion that occurs during hurricanes.

Coastal marshlands, which provide additional protection in some areas, have also been detrimentally affected by rising ocean levels and construction of man-made channels.

A review of the prior art follows.

European Patent Publication No. EP1362145, published Aug. 29, 2002 to Nordberg, describes a barrier for delimiting liquid accumulations during a flood.

WIPO Publication No. WO2004033804 published Apr. 22, 2004 to Papachristou et al., describes an inflatable anti-flood barrier consisting of an inflatable elongated envelope housed in a drain buried in the ground and normally closed with a hinged metal plate designed to be lifted and maintained in a substantially vertical position when the envelope is inflated to act as support for the latter on the side opposite to that subjected to the pressure of the water.

U.S. Publication No. 20040071510, published Apr. 15, 2004 to Dery, describes a flood control barrier for separating water in a wet area from an area to be maintained substantially dry. The Dery '510 invention comprises a flexible exterior membrane made of liquid impervious material and includes elongated upper and lower membrane sections.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,577, issued Nov. 16, 1999 to Strong, describes a flood barrier wall consisting of a flexible tubular flood chamber, skirts and an air-filled flotation collar. In its unexpanded and deflated mode the Strong '577 device is said to be relegated to a substantially flattened condition which can be folded, rolled up or placed on a spindle for ease of transport and rapid deployment at a flood site. Deployment consists of placing the barrier on the anticipated flood site, weighting and fastening the skirts to the ground and inflating the collar. The '577 patent states that rising flood water enters and expands the flood chamber to provide an effective flood barrier.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,405, issued Apr. 27, 2004 to Rorheim, describes a portable flood barrier comprising two parallel, spaced apart, inflatable, elongated tubes joined by a waterproof web. Both tubes are inflated, and ballast water is filled on the web, whereupon, when floodwater rises, the tube facing the flooded area floats in the floodwater and due to its buoyancy rises, thereby forming a flood barrier.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 20030143027, published Jul.31, 2003 to Obermeyer et al., relates to improved water control gates and related inflatable actuators, and associated sealing, manufacture and operation apparatus and methods.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,810, issued Feb. 12, 1985 to Muramatsu et al., describes a collapsible rubber dam secured to a riverbed portion and slope portions of both riverbanks is inflated and deflated by supply and discharge of a fluid. A pipe for supply and discharge of a fluid is communicated with the inside of the rubber dam from the shape portion of at least one riverbank except the riverbed portion securing the rubber dam. The pipe for supply and discharge of the fluid is preferably located in a region defined by a top end of the rubber dam located in the slope portion, a line connecting the top end of the rubber dam to substantially a middle position of a deflated width of the rubber dam at a toe of the slope portion, and a securing position of the rubber dam at the toe of the slope portion.

The Venice Barrier Tide Project (The Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico project (MOSE)) will lead to the construction of some 79 inflatable flood gates. Each flood gate requires extensive engineering work. Installing the flood gates is expected to take several years.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for protecting a coastline from a predicted storm surge such as a hurricane storm surge. The method includes the steps of: providing at least one inflatable barrier segment for protection against flooding during a hurricane surge; storing the at least one inflatable barrier segment at a first location; transporting the at least one inflatable barrier segment from the first location to a second location corresponding to a coastal location under threat of a future hurricane surge; deploying the at least one inflatable barrier segment at the second location to provide a barrier; removing each at least one inflatable barrier segment from the second location once the threat of the hurricane surge has receded; and depositing the at least one inflatable barrier segment at a third location, wherein the first location is selected from the group consisting of: an ocean floor, an offshore storage platform, and a buoy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section view of a deployed inflatable barrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view of an inflatable barrier in transport to a second location together with a view of at least one inflatable barrier stored on an offshore storage platform according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows at least one inflatable barrier stored at an offshore location attached to a buoy according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section view of an inflatable barrier in the process of being deployed at a second location according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an aerial view of a plurality of inflatable barriers deployed at a second location according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an ocean-side view of the present invention when the barriers are inflated.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment when the barriers are deflated and not in use.

FIG. 7 shows TABLE 1.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective environmental view of the deployment of at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 in at an exemplar second location to provide a protected shoreline.

FIG. 8A shows an environmental view of the deployment of at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 in at an exemplar second location to provide a protected bay area.

FIG. 9 shows an at least one inflatable barrier stored at a first location on an ocean floor according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows an at least one inflatable barrier segment being pumped with water and air according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows the at least one inflatable barrier segment of FIG. 10 deployed at second location SL.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the at least one inflatable barrier segment comprising a single compartment according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows an at least one inflatable barrier segment according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows an at least one inflatable barrier segment according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a plurality of inflatable barrier segments attached to a buoy according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus, in the form of at least one inflatable barrier segment 30, for countering flooding in coastal areas that are otherwise at risk of flooding from natural weather phenomenon such as, but not limited to, a storm surge 50, e.g., a hurricane storm surge.

It should be understood that the terms “ocean floor”, “marine floor”, and “seabed” are regarded herein as equivalent terms. The terms “additional submerged compartment” and “lower compartment” are regarded as equivalent terms. The terms “air-filled compartment” and “upper compartment” are herein regarded as equivalent terms. The term “inflatable” within the phrase “at least one inflatable barrier segment 30” refers to the capability of the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 to be at least partially filled with air to permit being towed between, for example, a first location and a second location or a second location and a third location. In one embodiment the first location is selected from the group consisting of: an ocean floor, an offshore storage platform, and a buoy.

Numbering in the present disclosure is an extension of that used in the parent provisional application Ser. No. 60/767,319, filed Mar. 17, 2006, and is summarized in Table 1 along with some of the additional numbering found in the present disclosure. Table 1 is found in FIG. 7.

In one aspect of the present invention a method is provided for protecting an area of coastline from the prospect of flooding from a weather phenomenon such as, but not limited to, a hurricane surge. The method includes the steps of: providing an inflatable barrier for protection against flooding during a hurricane surge; storing the inflatable barrier at a first location on an ocean floor; transporting the inflatable barrier from the first location to a second location corresponding to a coastal location under threat of a future hurricane surge; deploying the inflatable barrier at the second location; and removing the inflatable barrier from the second location once the threat of the hurricane surge has receded and depositing the inflatable barrier at a third location. The third location can be the same as the first location. Alternatively, the third location is different from the first location.

The inflatable barrier should be capable of remaining in a stored configuration at the first location, such as an ocean floor or offshore floating structure (e.g., an offshore storage platform or a buoy), and capable of being floated and transported from the first location to a second location for deployment as a barrier against a predicted storm surge such as a hurricane storm surge. Any suitable boat, such as a tugboat, can be used to tow the inflatable barrier, e.g., from a first location to a second location to a third location.

The at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 of the present invention is designed to be moveable between a first location where the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is safely stored while not in use, and a second location where the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is deployed to mitigate the affects of a hurricane storm surge, and thence to a third location after the threat of a hurricane storm surge has receded and where the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 can be stored until it is required next. The third location can be the same or be a different location from the first location.

The inflatable barriers shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 and FIGS. 8 through 14, and as otherwise described below, are intended as exemplars of suitable inflatable barriers and should not be read as limiting the claimed method of protecting an area of coastline from the prospect of flooding from a storm surge such as a hurricane surge.

Referring now to FIG. 1, at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is shown stored in a deployed mode at a first location FL in deployed mode on an ocean floor 10. The at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is attached to the ocean floor 10 by way of moorings 20; the moorings 20 can be pre-positioned at the second location SL or transported to the SL (see FIG. 2 where at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is shown in transit IT on its way to the second location SL). The at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 shown in FIG. 1 comprises an air-filled compartment 34, which is inflated before a hurricane is expected to arrive at the second location SL.

The overall shape of the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 can vary. For example, the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 can be designed with various overall shapes, such as, but not limited to: a teardrop shape, a triangular shape, and a rounded dome shape. The at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 has a long axis near the horizontal plane with an apex 38 coupled to the moorings 20. In one non-limiting embodiment, a plurality of flat struts 35 provide a measure of rigid support to the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30. In the cross-section view of FIG. 1, the flat struts 35 form an overall triangular shape. Additional reinforcement is gained from substantially vertical struts 36 that bridge the flat horizontal struts 35. The resulting structure spans much of the long axis of the barrier 30 within its apex 38. A short cylinder like structure 37 is formed by the convergence of the flat struts 35.

Still referring to FIG. 1, an attachment cable 39 is affixed to the cylinder shaped structure 37, and connects the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 to moorings 20. The at least one inflatable barrier segment 30, once deployed at the second location SL, prevents storm surge water level 50 from flooding protected shoreline 60.

The at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 comprises at least one compartments, for example, upper compartment 34 and at least one valve such as, but not limited to, external valve 33. Valve 33 is used for active inflation (by air compressor 42) or deflation of the least one inflatable barrier 30. The air compressor 42 can be located in any suitable place such as, but not limited to, a boat 40, an offshore platform 80 (see FIGS. 2 and 6). When the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is deployed at the second location SL, it will either stop the storm surge 50 reaching the proximal shoreline 60 or impede and lessen the size of the surge 50. Water and/or air would be pumped into the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 prior to the arrival of a predicted storm surge, and thence pumped out again after the storm surge passes or the risk, as published by a national weather bureau, of a predicted storm surge recedes.

Referring to FIG. 2, the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is shown stored at a first location FL attached to a floating offshore platform 80. FIG. 2 also shows at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 in transit IT. When required, the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is optionally partially inflated by air compressor 42 and towed along the water surface 12 by boat 40 to a second location SL.

Referring to FIG. 2A, at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is shown stored at a first location FL attached to a buoy 260.

Referring to FIG. 3, the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is shown with a lower compartment 31. The lower compartment 31 can be filled with water and submerged below the ocean surface 12. If the ocean floor 10 is uneven or of varying depth the lower compartment 31 can be filled with water to a desired height to offset such variability in the ocean floor 10. The lower compartment 31 is filled with water sufficient to secure the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 to the ocean floor 10. The moorings 20 can be of approximately the same height relative to the ocean surface 12 or varied according to the unevenness of the ocean floor 10. Reinforcement cables 32 are shown within the water filled compartment 31.

FIG. 4 shows an aerial view of a plurality of inflatable barrier segments 30 aligned to form a barrier 41. The barrier 41 is made by coupling together each of the inflatable barriers 30 to at least two moorings 20 and has air-filed upper compartments 34 and associated valves 33. Valves 33 allow controlled ingress and egress of air into the upper compartment 34 of each inflatable barrier 30. A cover 89 (see FIG. 8) can be affixed to cover the barrier segments 30 to provide a superior surface 90 (see FIG. 8) spanning the barrier segments 30 to reduce leakage between segments 30. Arrows denote movement of water during a storm surge.

FIG. 5 shows a view from the ocean side (as if one were in the ocean looking towards the shoreline) of the line of inflatable barrier segments 30 coupled to moorings 20 secured to the ocean floor 10 at a second location SL. In this view, the ocean floor 10 is uneven, and in response additional lower compartments 31 have been deployed (i.e., submerged by filling with water). The top of the moorings 20 are shown at substantially the same level relative to the ocean surface 12. Reinforcement cables 32 provide additional support to the submerged lower compartments 31.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which each of the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is deflated when not in use. An air compressor 42 and water pump 42 (not shown) aboard boat 40 is used to pump air and water into each of the inflatable barrier segments 30. As shown, the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 can be stored in a substantially flat configuration on the ocean floor 10 at a first location FL. The at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is inflated when a storm surge (e.g., a hurricane surge) is predicted at a second location SL and towed to the second location under threat of a storm surge hurricane or other serious weather event. The at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is deployed at the second location SL (e.g., see FIG. 4) to provide a barrier against the predicted storm surge. Once fully deployed and coupled together, barrier segments 30 will act as a temporary shoreline. A cover 89 (see FIG. 8) can be affixed to cover the barrier segments 30 to provide a superior surface 90 (see FIG. 8) spanning the barrier segments 30 to reduce or prevent leakage between segments 30.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective environmental view of the deployment of at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 (in the form of a plurality of inflatable barrier segments) in at an exemplar second location SL to provide a protected shoreline 60. The at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is designed to mitigate the effects of a predicted hurricane storm surge. A boat 40 is shown operably connected to the at least one inflatable barrier 30; more specifically, the boat 40 is equipped with an air-water delivery apparatus 130 for pumping air (and/or water) into the inflatable barrier 30. The air delivery device 130 typically comprises an air-compressor 42 and/or a water pump 44 (e.g., see FIG. 10). The boat 40 can be any suitable vessel such as a seagoing tugboat. A cover 89 is affixed to cover the barrier segments 30 to provide a superior surface 90 spanning the barrier segments 30 to reduce or prevent leakage between segments 30.

FIG. 8A shows an environmental view of the deployment of at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 in at an exemplar second location SL to protect a bay area BA. The at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is designed to mitigate the effects of a predicted hurricane storm surge.

Referring to FIG. 9, the at least one inflatable barrier 30 is shown stored at a first location FL. In this example the first location FL is in seawater SW on an ocean floor 10. The at least one inflatable barrier 30 is stored at the first location FL until required for use at a second location SL. At the appropriate time, the upper compartment 34 is at least partly filled with air via valve 33 (represented by valve 33a). Upon deployment at a second location SL the lower compartment 31 is filled with water via valve 33 w, and as much air as required is pumped into the upper compartment 34. The second location SL can be any location where the at least one inflatable barrier 30 can be deployed in sufficient time prior to landfall of a predicted weather event such as a predicted hurricane surge. Until the at least one inflatable barrier segments 30 are deployed at the second location SL, the coastline at the second location SL will remain unprotected coastline UCL.

With respect to FIG. 10, at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 is shown being pumped with water and air into compartments 31 and 34, respectively at a second location SL under threat of a predicted storm surge.

FIG. 11 shows the inflatable barrier segment 30 of FIG. 10 deployed at second location SL. Seawater SW has been pumped into the lower chamber 31 and air A pumped into the upper chamber 34.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 in which a single compartment 45 replaces the lower and upper compartments 31 and 34, respectively. Air A and/or seawater SW is pumped into the single compartment 45. An optional additional valve (represented by the alphanumeric label 33 o) is shown which can be set to allow water to enter freely into the compartment 45 without assistance from the water pump 44.

FIG. 13 shows at least one inflatable barrier segment 30 with a single compartment 45 but with a different overall shape from that shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment in which the inflatable barrier segment 30 of FIG. 13 sits on top of an independent lower compartment represented by the alphanumeric label 31 d.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A method of protecting an area of coastline from the prospect of flooding from a predicted hurricane surge, comprising the steps of: providing at least one inflatable barrier segment for protection against flooding during a hurricane surge; storing said at least one inflatable barrier segment at a first location; transporting said at least one inflatable barrier segment from the first location to a second location, wherein said second location is a coastal location under threat of a future hurricane surge; deploying said at least one inflatable barrier segment at the second location to provide a barrier; removing each at least one inflatable barrier segment from the second location once the threat of the hurricane surge has receded; and depositing said at least one inflatable barrier segment at a third location, wherein the first location is selected from the group consisting of: an ocean floor, an offshore storage platform, and a buoy.
 2. A method of protecting an area of coastline from the prospect of flooding from a predicted hurricane surge, comprising the steps of: providing at least one inflatable barrier segment for protection against flooding during a hurricane surge; storing said at least one inflatable barrier segment at a first location, wherein the first location is on an ocean floor or on an offshore storage platform; transporting said at least one inflatable barrier segment from the first location to a second location corresponding to a coastal location under threat of a future hurricane surge; deploying said at least one inflatable barrier segment at the second location to provide a barrier; removing each at least one inflatable barrier segment from the second location once the threat of the hurricane surge has receded; and depositing said at least one inflatable barrier segment at a third location.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first location is on the ocean floor.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first location is an offshore storage platform.
 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the third location is the same as the first location.
 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the third location is different from the first location.
 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the third location is a seabed, and wherein the third location is different from the first location.
 8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of transporting said at least one inflatable barrier segment from the first location to a second location further is performed using a sea vessel.
 9. A barrier system (41) to prevent flooding due to storm surge from a hurricane, comprising: a plurality of inflatable barrier segments, each of the inflatable barrier segments comprise at least one compartment fillable with air or water, each of the inflatable barrier segments are fitted with at least one valve for receiving air or water; and a superior surface spanning the inflatable barrier segments to reduce leakage between the segments. 